Scanning just above the sample plate, the optics shuttle individually illuminates and detects fluorescence from each well with high sensitivity and no cross talk. The optical system automatically collects data from all wells during data acquisition, so you can enter or edit well information on your own schedule.

Two-Target Multiplexing The CFX Connect system can discriminate up to two targets in a single reaction well. The optical filter sets are designed to maximize fluorescence detection for specific dyes in specific channels. At every position and with every scan, the optics shuttle is reproducibly centered above each well, so the light path is always fixed and optimal, and there is no need to sacrifice data collection in one of the channels to normalize to a passive reference dye.

Fast Scan Option You can complete SYBR® Green I and single-color FAM protocols even faster using the fast scan mode, which reads single-channel fluorescence from all 96 wells in just 3 seconds.

If you're like most researchers, you want to get results faster. Many factors contribute to the overall time it takes to get PCR results: the time to design, program, and optimize a protocol, the time to run the protocol, and the time to analyze the results. Bio-Rad engineers have developed a complete thermal cycling system that will speed every step of the PCR process to give you what's really important — a shorter time from setup to results.

The patented* reduced-mass sample block heats and cools more quickly than standard blocks, so average ramp rates are increased and overall run times are reduced.

Superior Uniformity Precision of the temperature steps is critical for the rate and efficiency of PCR. To obtain reliable, consistent results, all sample wells must maintain proper temperature throughout each incubation step. The CFX Connect™ system uses six independently controlled thermal electric modules (TEs), the heating and cooling elements of the thermal cycler, to maintain tight temperature uniformity at all points during a run — even while ramping.

Rapid Arrival at Target Temperature A key component of overall protocol run time is the time required to reach target temperature, which is determined by the average ramp rate and the time needed for the sample block to reach thermal uniformity. Maximum ramp rate is less important because it can fluctuate significantly during the ramp. The CFX Connect system's temperature control produces high average ramp rates and tight uniformity during ramping to yield fast time to target temperature and faster protocol run times. Run times can be dramatically shortened — to less than 30 min — while still producing accurate quantitative results. Now you can tailor your runs around your schedule instead of tailoring your schedule around your runs.

Rapid arrival at target temperature and superior uniformity for reproducible results. The CFX Connect system exhibits high average ramp rates, rapid settling time, and tight thermal uniformity throughout the ramp. This graph shows the temperature measured by probes in 15 wells across a sample block. The traces are nearly indistinguishable due to the tight uniformity. Note the consistent ramp rate throughout heating and cooling.

Efficient Optimization Determining the optimal temperature for primer annealing is crucial for efficient and specific amplification of product. With the CFX Connect™ system's thermal gradient feature, you can determine the optimal temperature for primer annealing in a single experiment, minimizing the use of precious samples and reagents and saving valuable research time. At any step in a protocol, you can program a temperature gradient of up to 24°C across the reaction block. The thermal cycler provides exceptional temperature uniformity and reproducibility within each gradient zone, and the temperatures can easily be programmed and viewed onscreen in the software so you can quickly identify the optimal incubation temperature.

Thermal gradient experiment for optimizing annealing temperature. A tenfold dilution series (106 to 10 copies) of plasmid containing GAPDH template was amplified in the presence of SYBR® Green dye using a protocol with an annealing thermal gradient ranging from 55 to 68°C. Results are presented for two temperatures, showing 62°C as the optimal in this case. Cq, quantification cycle; RFU, relative fluorescence units.

O-ring hermetic seal extends the life of the heating and cooling elements. Condensation from constant heating and cooling can degrade thermal electric modules (TEs), causing them to fail. The CFX Connect thermal cycler includes a patented* O-ring seal (red in illustration) that forms an airtight barrier around the TEs, preventing exposure to condensation. This substantially lengthens the life of TEs and guarantees outstanding thermal performance.

The flexibility of the CFX Connect™ real-time PCR detection system allows your setup to grow and evolve as your needs change. Adding more instruments to increase throughput is as easy as connecting a USB cable. CFX Manager™ software can independently run four instruments, including a combination of CFX Connect, CFX96 Touch™, and CFX384 Touch™ real-time instruments. You may start a run on one instrument while another is running a different experiment, or you can start the same experiment on all four instruments at once.

The qPCR Applications Guide is a comprehensive source of information on real-time PCR. Complete with detailed information on optimizing, validating, and analyzing real-time PCR data, this technically focused applications guide is a resource for experienced researchers as well as those wanting to learn more about using real-time PCR for applications such as qPCR, RT-qPCR, genotyping, and GMO detection. This guidebook includes chapters that cover:

Key concepts of real-time PCR

Getting started — experimental design

Multiplexing considerations

Data analysis

Gene expression analysis

Genotyping allelic discrimination

GMO detection

This guidebook comes with an easy-to-review real-time PCR quick guide to use at the bench. The quick guide covers the fundamentals of qPCR, design, optimization, and data analysis of qPCR experiments.

For more than 15 years, Bio-Rad has made science education a major priority. To support this effort, the company has implemented a discount policy that allows high school and college teaching laboratories to purchase kits, instruments, reagents, and other equipment at preferred prices.

How do I apply for the education discount?

If you are an educator at the high school or college level, visit our Education Discount Policy page to establish an education account number.